Renault Kadjar Problems (2015–2022): Common Faults, Reliability and What to Check Before Buying

 

The Renault Kadjar was the brand's answer to the booming compact crossover segment, built on the same platform as the Nissan Qashqai and offered with a similar range of petrol and diesel engines. It's practical, reasonably comfortable and easy to find on the used market, which makes it a tempting choice for buyers who want SUV looks without SUV running costs.

That said, the Kadjar has a number of known weak points, particularly around its EDC automatic gearbox, the R-Link 2 infotainment system, and specific issues tied to the 1.2 TCe petrol and 1.5/1.6 dCi diesel engines. None of these mean every Kadjar is a bad buy — but they are exactly the things to check carefully before handing over your money.

Which Renault Kadjar does this guide cover?

This article covers the first-generation Kadjar, produced from 2015 onward, including facelifted versions with 1.2 TCe and 1.3 TCe petrol engines and 1.5 dCi / 1.6 dCi diesel engines.

Severe defects to watch for

High oil consumption (1.2 TCe petrol). Excessive oil consumption can indicate wear of internal engine components and, if ignored, lead to engine destruction. It's a rare issue on the Kadjar, but it typically shows up before 50,000 km — often while the car is still under warranty, so check service records for any related claims.

Injector failures (1.5 dCi diesel). Early injector failures have been reported on the 1.5 dCi diesel, although the problem occurs to a limited extent.

Turbocharger failures (1.5/1.6 dCi diesel). Both diesel variants have shown a tendency toward early turbocharger failure, at a level comparable to similar diesel units from other manufacturers.

Other common faults

• Oil leaks (1.2 TCe): Leaks from the camshaft chain cover seal are a recurring complaint.

• Fuel tank venting issues: Some owners report a vacuum forming in the fuel tank, noticeable when opening the fuel cap. This is usually resolved by inspecting and loosening the fuel tank vent line, since it can otherwise disrupt fuel delivery.

• Front tyre wear (diesel versions): Predominantly diesel-engined cars have shown early front tyre wear, generally solved through a chassis/wheel alignment adjustment.

• EDC dual-clutch gearbox: Higher-mileage cars or those driven mostly in stop-start city traffic often develop shifting problems — slow shifts, clutch slippage, hesitation. Fixes usually involve a combination of transmission software reprogramming and replacing worn components such as clutch plates or actuators.

• Front wheel bearings (1.6 dCi): An increasing number of owners report early wheel bearing failure on this diesel variant.

Body and interior issues

• Wind noise: Complaints about wind noise around the front doors and sunroof, usually fixed by readjusting the door or sunroof alignment.

• Moisture in headlights: A fairly common issue, sometimes due to poor sealing — typically covered under warranty.

• LED headlight fogging: White coating forming on the inside of LED headlight units, which can dim or obstruct the light output.

• Gear lever cuff wear: Reports of the gear lever gaiter/cuff deteriorating early.

• Interior creaks/rattles ("crickets"): Frequent creaking noises from door panels and the dashboard.

Electronics issues

• Start & Stop inconsistency: Usually linked to a weak battery; in some cases resolved through a software reprogram.

• Automatic braking system warnings: False alerts that often disappear after restarting the car. Usually a reprogramming fix, though in rare cases it points to an actual fault with the front radar sensor.

• R-Link 2 multimedia system: Almost universally reported problems — random shutdowns, unresponsive touchscreen, black screen, failure to pair via Bluetooth, erratic volume changes. Some cases are solved with a software update; others require replacing the whole unit, generally under warranty.

• Alarm system: Occasional reports of the alarm triggering by itself.

What to check before buying a used Kadjar

• Full service history, especially timing belt/chain and turbo-related work on diesel models.

• Cold start behaviour and oil consumption on 1.2 TCe petrol cars — check oil level and look for blue/white smoke.

• Gearbox behaviour on EDC automatic versions: test at low speed, in stop-start traffic, and note any hesitation or jerky shifts.

• Headlights for internal moisture or fogging.

• Infotainment system: test Bluetooth pairing, screen responsiveness, and volume control during the test drive.

• Front tyres for uneven wear, particularly on diesel versions.

• Any recall or dealer service bulletin history for the specific VIN.

Is the Renault Kadjar reliable overall?

The Kadjar isn't in the "avoid at all costs" category, but it's also not without known weak spots. Buyers should pay particular attention to the EDC gearbox on automatic versions and the R-Link 2 system, since these are the most consistently reported complaints. A well-documented service history and a thorough test drive go a long way toward avoiding the more expensive issues listed above.